House of Commons
- Date 17 September 2012
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 17: Upheld, FOI 37: Not upheld
The complainant requested information from the House of Commons (the House) relating to the coat of arms of Mr John Bercow, the Speaker of the House. The House withheld the requested information on the basis of the following two exemptions: section 37(1)(b) (conferring of an honour or dignity) and 40(2) (personal data). The Commissioner has concluded that all of the requested information is exempt from disclosure on the basis of section 37(1)(b). However, the Commissioner has concluded that the House breached section 17(3) of the Freedom of Information Act by failing to inform the complainant of its decision to rely on these exemptions within a reasonable time period.